NASCAR Announces Chip Wile as New Chair of the Drivers’ Advisory Council for 2026
In a move that caught much of the garage by surprise this off-season, the Drivers’ Advisory Council (DAC) has overhauled its leadership. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the council announced that longtime NASCAR executive and former Daytona International Speedway president Chip Wile will take over as Executive Director.
Wile moves into the spot previously held by Jeff Burton, the former Cup Series star who has fronted the group since its 2022 inception. While Burton isn’t leaving the fold he’ll stay on as an advisor the hire of a heavy-hitting executive like Wile signals that the DAC is ready to trade “shop talk” for “boardroom influence” as the sport enters its most complicated season yet.
A Front-Office Veteran in the Drivers’ Corner
NASCAR Announces Chip Wile as New Chair of the Drivers’ Advisory Council for 2026Chip Wile is a known quantity in the halls of NASCAR power. After stints running Darlington and Daytona, and most recently serving as NASCAR’s Chief Track Properties Officer, he understands the mechanical gears of the sanctioning body better than almost anyone.
By bringing Wile in, the drivers have effectively hired a “professional bridge” to ensure their voices aren’t just a part of the conversation, but a part of the policy.The stakes for this change are high.
The 2026 rulebook is a massive departure from the status quo. For the first time since the Next Gen car debuted, horsepower is finally going up targeting 750 hp at short tracks and road courses.
This shift requires a delicate balance of engine reliability and tire management, and Wile’s job is to ensure that the feedback from guys like Joey Logano and William Byron gets translated into actual technical changes rather than getting stuck in committee.
The Media Release: A Shift in Tone
The official release from the DAC didn’t just announce a name change. It established a new mission statement for the 2026 campaign. The industry quickly picked up on the fact that the drivers are looking for a more formal, unified seat at the table during a period of legal and technical upheaval.
For Immediate Release: The Drivers’ Advisory Council names Chip Wile as Executive Director to lead reorganized 2026 initiatives. The move aims to strengthen alignment between drivers and NASCAR governance during a critical rules cycle, including horsepower increases and safety upgrades. Former director Jeff Burton to continue in an advisory capacity. 🏁📉 #NASCAR #DriversCouncil #ChipWile”
This announcement puts a professional stamp on the group’s efforts. With current board members like Chase Briscoe, Michael McDowell, and Kurt Busch involved, Wile provides the executive muscle needed to advocate for driver safety and competition standards as the series navigates ongoing charter lawsuits and a potential revamp of the championship format.
What Wile’s Appointment Means Moving Forward
The appointment of Chip Wile is more than a “Silly Season” executive swap. It is a fundamental shift in garage politics:
Navigating the Antitrust Noise:
With 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports involved in ongoing litigation against NASCAR, Wile acts as a neutral but powerful representative for the field. He allows the drivers to speak as a collective unit on competition issues without getting dragged individually into the legal crossfire.
The “750 hp” Quality Control:
The 750-horsepower package is the most anticipated change in years. Wile’s role is to facilitate the “feedback loop” between drivers and Goodyear. If the extra power burns through tires too fast or not fast enough Wile will be the one in the R&D center making sure the adjustments are made before the playoffs.
Streamlined Safety Updates:
With A-post flaps becoming mandatory at all tracks in 2026, the DAC under Wile will be tasked with vetting these changes. His experience with track operations gives him a unique perspective on how safety tech on the car interacts with track-side infrastructure.
The Importance of Wile’s Appointment
To sum it up, Chip’s move to the Drivers’ Advisory Council is a strategic play to professionalize the driver’s voice at a time when NASCAR is radically changing its technical and business models. By replacing Jeff Burton with a veteran track and corporate executive, the DAC is positioning itself to be a true partner in NASCAR governance.
From managing the return of higher horsepower to navigating the fallout of charter lawsuits, Wile is the new architect tasked with making sure that the men behind the wheel have as much influence as the men in the boardroom.
